The Punakha Dzong, also known as
Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong (meaning very awesome dzong "the palace of
great happiness or bliss"), is the administrative centre of Punakha
District in Punakha, Bhutan. Constructed by Ngawang Namgyal, 1st Zhabdrung
Rinpoche, in 1637–38, it is the second oldest and second largest dzong in
Bhutan and one of its most majestic structures. The dzong houses the sacred
relics of the southern Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism,
including the Rangjung Kasarpani and the sacred remains of Ngawang Namgyal and
the tertönPemaLingpa.
The Dzong is located at the confluence of
the Pho Chhu (father) and Mo Chhu (mother) rivers in the Punakha–Wangdue
valley. The source of the Mo chu river is in the northern hills of Lighsi and
Laya in Bhutan, and in Tibet. The Po Chu River is fed by glaciers in the Lunana
region of the Punakha valley. After the confluence of these two rivers, the
main river is known as Puna Tsang chu or Sankosh River and flows down through
WangduePhodrang, crosses the Bhutan–India border at Kalikhola and eventually
meets the Brahmaputra River.
The dzong is part of the Drukpa Lineage of
the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism in Bhutan. It is the second oldest and
most majestic dzong in Bhutan built at the orders of Ngawang Namgyal. It is a
six-storied structure with a central tower or utse at an average elevation of
1,200 metres (3,900 ft) with a scenic, mountainous background. The materials
used in building the Dzong consisted of compacted earth, stones and timber in
doors and windows.
The dzong was constructed as an “embodiment
of Buddhist values” and was one of the 16 dzongs built by the Zhabdrung during
his rule from 1594 to 1691. The dzong measures 180 metres (590 ft) in length
with a width of 72 metres (236 ft) and has three docheys (courtyards). The
defensive fortifications built in the dzong to protect it from enemy attacks
consist of a steep wooden draw stairway and a heavy wooden door that is closed
at night. After the dzong suffered damage due to a fire, a large prayer hall
was added in 1986.